STAND. COM. REP. NO. 749

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 204

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 204, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BEACH MANAGEMENT FOR THE NORTH SHORE OF OAHU,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is protect north shore Oahu beaches by appropriating moneys to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College program to create a north shore beach management plan.  

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu Department of Design and Construction, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Shore and Beach Preservation Association, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, and seven individuals.

     Your Committee finds that several north shore Oahu beaches are at risk of erosion and deterioration from inclement weather, climate change, and intensive use.  The north shore of Oahu is one of the most popular tourist areas in the State, and many of its beaches are internationally famous for their beauty and surf.  The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College program has previously produced a beach and dune management plan for Kailua beach, which analyzed the state of Kailua beach and recommended management measures to be taken by government and interested private parties to protect and preserve the beach.  Your Committee finds that the north shore Oahu community has expressed strong interest and support for the development of a similar beach management plan for north shore Oahu beaches.

     Your Committee further finds that the State must take proactive steps to protect north shore beaches to ensure Hawaii's environmental sustainability and preserve its tourism industry.

     Your Committee notes that the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College program has estimated a cost of $400,000 over the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium for the program to prepare the north shore beach management plan.

     Your Committee has amended this measure to require a dollar-for-dollar match from private or other non-state sources for the expenditure of any funds appropriated for the preparation of the beach management plan.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 204, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 204, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair